Do you find that you ask yourself every day "What should I make for dinner?" For the longest time, I would go to the store week after week, making sure to buy plenty of meat, etc. but yet, I never really knew what I was going to cook for the week. Each day I would take out some meat to defrost, but then I would think, "Okay, so what will I make with this tonight?" I never really had a real plan. There were many nights that I started trying to decide what to make too late at night, and then we ended up eating out. Well, that sure didn't save money and is definitely not the healthiest alternative.
Well, I recently had an epiphany! I got out a piece of paper and listed things that I make for breakfast, lunch, snacks, and dinners. I got help from the family so I would be sure not to leave anything out. Now, every week before I go to the store, I get together with the kids and hubby and ask what they will be wanting for that week's dinners. We/they pick a meal for each night. I take into account if we will have enough for left overs (depending on what I am making), etc. I can't tell you how much easier this makes my week because it is simply one less thing I have to think about. Each day I know what I will be making so it's really simple. This is also a great way of including the entire family on one of the most important things you do together. Eating!!!
Anyway, this REALLY helped me a lot so I really wanted to share it. I also bought a "ready made" grocery checklist. It comes on a magnetized tablet so I can hang it on the refrigerator and simply check things off as we run out of them. This list literally has things in categories such as produce, meat & fish, etc. Using a grocery list of any kind, also saves time and money. You'd be surprised how much impulse buying we do; especially if we are hungry when we go to the store!
Wednesday, June 9, 2010
Tuesday, June 8, 2010
PREGNANCY WEEK BY WEEK, WEEK 15
What is happening with your baby:
Your baby now measures about 4 inches long from crown to rump and weighs in at about 2 1/2 ounces; roughly the size of an apple. She is busy moving about in the amniotic fluid, as she moves the fluid through her nose and upper respiratory tract; this helps the primitive air sacs in her lungs begin to develop. Her legs are now growing longer than her arms and she can move all of her joints and limbs. Her eyelids are still fused shut but she can sense light.
How your life is changing:
You have probably gained approximately 5 pounds (although this varies from woman to woman) and are well into your pregnancy. Most of your early pregnancy discomforts are probably about gone by now, but you may be surprised at other symptoms that arise from time to time, such as a stuffy nose. This symptom is very common but for many first timers, you may not be aware of this. You may mistake this as thinking you are getting sick. But many women suffer from the pregnancy induced stuffy nose; most likely caused by hormonal changes and increased blood flow to your mucous membranes. The medical name for this condition is "rhinitis of pregnancy." Many pregnant women also suffer from nosebleeds, which can be caused from increased blood volume and blood vessel expansion in the nose.
If you are having an amniocentesis, you will most likely be having that test between now and 18 weeks. An amniocentesis can identify hundreds of genetic and chromosomal disorders.
Your baby now measures about 4 inches long from crown to rump and weighs in at about 2 1/2 ounces; roughly the size of an apple. She is busy moving about in the amniotic fluid, as she moves the fluid through her nose and upper respiratory tract; this helps the primitive air sacs in her lungs begin to develop. Her legs are now growing longer than her arms and she can move all of her joints and limbs. Her eyelids are still fused shut but she can sense light.
How your life is changing:
You have probably gained approximately 5 pounds (although this varies from woman to woman) and are well into your pregnancy. Most of your early pregnancy discomforts are probably about gone by now, but you may be surprised at other symptoms that arise from time to time, such as a stuffy nose. This symptom is very common but for many first timers, you may not be aware of this. You may mistake this as thinking you are getting sick. But many women suffer from the pregnancy induced stuffy nose; most likely caused by hormonal changes and increased blood flow to your mucous membranes. The medical name for this condition is "rhinitis of pregnancy." Many pregnant women also suffer from nosebleeds, which can be caused from increased blood volume and blood vessel expansion in the nose.
If you are having an amniocentesis, you will most likely be having that test between now and 18 weeks. An amniocentesis can identify hundreds of genetic and chromosomal disorders.
Wednesday, June 2, 2010
BASIC SUMMER SAFETY TIPS
Well, it's that time again! Summer is here! Although summer means many fun and exciting activities, it can also bring along some added risks. Here are some basic tips on how to keep those kiddos happy and healthy all summer long:
- Sun Alert - Be sure to use sunscreen. The sun can do a lot of damage in a very short amount of time so be sure to use sunscreen when you will be outside for longer than about 30 minutes. The higher the SPF, the better; especially for the kids.
- Insects - Well, the bugs are out in full force! So be sure to use your repellant. There are many natural repellants that you can use such as Citronella Oil, Lemon Eucalyptus Oil, Cinnamon Oil, Castor Oil, Rosemary Oil, and Lemongrass Oil. Keep in mind that the more natural repellants will need to be applied more frequently (about every 2 hours) than the store brands. Also see www.mosquitorepellant.com for more information on repellants.Note: There are also things you can do to help AVOID attracting mosquitoes: Avoid dark clothings, carbon dioxide (we tend to give more of this off right after exercising), floral or fruity smells (perfumes, body sprays, etc.), moisture (from perspiration).
- Bug Bites - No matter how much repellant you use during the summer, you are sure to get a bug bite or two. So be sure to have Benadryl on hand or something comparable to it. I have 2 kids that are very sensitive to insect bites and Benadryl is a must have in my home. I use both the oral form and the cream. But you should not use both at the same time. There are other ointments/creams such as cortisone cream, caladryl, calamine lotion, and others that can also be used for bug bites. Whatever your preference, it is always good to have some on hand.
- Pool Safety - I don't think enough can be said about pool/water safety. Be sure you are watchful no matter how well your kids might know how to swim. Make sure to have the proper life saving gear, such as life jackets. Never let your child swim alone. Be careful of pool covers, as they can trap children. If you do have a pool cover, be sure it is completely covering the pool; not partially. Any child at the age of 4 or older should take a certified instructional swimming class to learn, at least the basic floating/life saving skills. It is a good idea for parents to learn CPR. If you have a pool in your back yard, install alarms on the doors that lead out to the pool area.
- Heat - Be sure to drink plenty of water when you/kids are out in the heat. It gets hot quick and dehydration can happen before you know it. Alcohol should be avoided when you are out in the heat. Alcohol is a diuretic and does dehydrate you. If you are going to be drinking, be sure to follow every alcoholic beverage with a glass of water.
Tuesday, June 1, 2010
PREGNANCY WEEK BY WEEK, WEEK 14
How your baby is growing:
You baby now has the ability to squint, frown, urinate, and suck its thumb! Due to brain impulses, the facial muscles are getting a workout as its tiny features form different expressions. The kidneys are producing urine, which is released in the amniotic fluid surrounding the baby. This will continue until your baby is born. He/she can grasp now too!
Your baby is steadily growing and now measures about 3 1/2 inches from head to bottom. He/she now weighs about 1 1/2 ounces. The body is growing faster than the head and the neck is now more distinct. By the end of this week, the arms will be proportioned to the rest of the body. The legs still have some growing to do to catch up though. Your baby is starting to develop the languo (ultra fine, downy covering hair), which will cover the entire body. Also this week, your baby's liver will begin to produce bile and the spleen will start helping in the production of red blood cells. The hands and feet are now measuring about 1/2 inch long.
What is happening with you:
You are now officially in your 2nd trimester!!! Yay!!! You may feel that your energy is returning. Your breasts may be feeling a little less tender and your nausea may be totally gone by now. If not, hang in there. Most likely this will be gone very soon.
The top of your uterus is a little above your pubic bone now and this may be enough to push your belly out a little. Many couples get really excited when the mother begins to show. Finally, there is some visible evidence that there really is a baby in there!!!
It is very normal for mothers-to-be to worry about things such as the baby and the pregnancy in general. Try not to worry too much. If you spend all of your time worrying, you will not be able to just enjoy being pregnant. The best thing you can do for your baby is to take good care of yourself and to worry and stress as little as possible!
You baby now has the ability to squint, frown, urinate, and suck its thumb! Due to brain impulses, the facial muscles are getting a workout as its tiny features form different expressions. The kidneys are producing urine, which is released in the amniotic fluid surrounding the baby. This will continue until your baby is born. He/she can grasp now too!
Your baby is steadily growing and now measures about 3 1/2 inches from head to bottom. He/she now weighs about 1 1/2 ounces. The body is growing faster than the head and the neck is now more distinct. By the end of this week, the arms will be proportioned to the rest of the body. The legs still have some growing to do to catch up though. Your baby is starting to develop the languo (ultra fine, downy covering hair), which will cover the entire body. Also this week, your baby's liver will begin to produce bile and the spleen will start helping in the production of red blood cells. The hands and feet are now measuring about 1/2 inch long.
What is happening with you:
You are now officially in your 2nd trimester!!! Yay!!! You may feel that your energy is returning. Your breasts may be feeling a little less tender and your nausea may be totally gone by now. If not, hang in there. Most likely this will be gone very soon.
The top of your uterus is a little above your pubic bone now and this may be enough to push your belly out a little. Many couples get really excited when the mother begins to show. Finally, there is some visible evidence that there really is a baby in there!!!
It is very normal for mothers-to-be to worry about things such as the baby and the pregnancy in general. Try not to worry too much. If you spend all of your time worrying, you will not be able to just enjoy being pregnant. The best thing you can do for your baby is to take good care of yourself and to worry and stress as little as possible!
Friday, May 28, 2010
TIPS FOR ORGANIZING YOUR HOME OFFICE
Whether you have a home office as a place for paying bills or you run a business out of your home, organization is the key to things running smoothly. We live in a world where there just never seems to be enough time, so by following some simple tips, you are sure to maximize your time and have more of it to spend with your family.
Things to remember:
- Keep your desk clean. I know, I know, this probably sounds pretty difficult. But remember, your desk is not a place for storage. Your desk is your work space. So it is time to go through those piles of papers and find them a home. You can make 3 piles for your papers. Toss it, file it, or do it. Remember when tossing things, to shred anything that could used for any type of identity theft. (I shred almost everything that I throw away simply because it has our names and addresses on it.)
- Organize your files. If you don't have a file cabinet, buy one. They come in all different sizes and different price ranges. This is one of the BEST ways to get your office organized. By having established files, you can file papers immediately as you go through them.
- Have an in box. As you check the mail or receive mail/packages, have a central place for them. You may not be able to go through them right then, but you can have a basket or box for them to be until you CAN go through them. (I recommend having separate drawers for business/personal bills/mail.)
- Make the most of the space that you have. Not everyone has a large space for an office. And that's okay. The important thing is to make sure that you use the space you do have, wisely. Use those file cabinets, desk drawers and shelves. Try to have the essentials at arms length, such as pens, paper, printer, calculator, etc.
Things to remember:
- A messy, cluttered office can result in incomplete work, missed deadlines and/or lost information. The time spent, turning your office upside down, looking for that phone number or address, is time that is wasted and unproductive. Just taking a few minutes a day (or even once a week), will save you so much time in the long run and will be worth the initial extra effort.
- Try to control outside interruptions/distractions. You don't have to answer the phone every time it rings. If possible, have hubby help you with the kids so you can close the door and get things done. If you have older kids, they may understand if you simply let them know that you are working and need some time with the door closed.
- Once you are caught up going through those papers, be sure to stay that way by either going through papers immediately when you get them, or setting aside time each week to go through them.
Tuesday, May 25, 2010
PREGNANCY WEEK BY WEEK, WEEK 13
What is happening with your baby:
Fingerprints have now formed on your baby's little fingertips. The veins and organs can be clearly seen through her thin delicate skin. Her body is beginning to catch up to her head - which now makes up about 1/3 of her body size. If you are having a girl, she now has more than two million eggs in her ovaries. Your baby is almost three inches long and weighs almost an ounce.
What is happening with you/your body:
This is the last week of your first trimester! Yay! Your risk of miscarriage is now much lower than earlier in your pregnancy. Many women, who experience many of the 1st trimester discomforts (such as nausea and fatigue), are now beginning to see those symptoms subside. Many couples notice a very noticeable libido lift during this time. Birth is still months away, however, you breasts may be already producing colostrum. Colostrum is the nutrient rich fluid that feeds your baby for the first few days after birth, before your milk "comes in", or starts to flow.
Fingerprints have now formed on your baby's little fingertips. The veins and organs can be clearly seen through her thin delicate skin. Her body is beginning to catch up to her head - which now makes up about 1/3 of her body size. If you are having a girl, she now has more than two million eggs in her ovaries. Your baby is almost three inches long and weighs almost an ounce.
What is happening with you/your body:
This is the last week of your first trimester! Yay! Your risk of miscarriage is now much lower than earlier in your pregnancy. Many women, who experience many of the 1st trimester discomforts (such as nausea and fatigue), are now beginning to see those symptoms subside. Many couples notice a very noticeable libido lift during this time. Birth is still months away, however, you breasts may be already producing colostrum. Colostrum is the nutrient rich fluid that feeds your baby for the first few days after birth, before your milk "comes in", or starts to flow.
Monday, May 24, 2010
TIPS FOR HAVING A SUCCESSFUL GARAGE SALE
If you are like most Americans, you probably have lots of "stuff". Most of us buy faster than we clear out the clutter! We end up stashing away our well intentioned buys, in our garage. In some cases, we have used what we bought as much as we are going to, but it is still in perfectly acceptable condition, for someone else. A garage sale is a wonderful way to get rid of unwanted junk and turn a profit at the same time. Here are some tips to help you have a successful garage sale:
Collecting Items - You can never start collecting too early. In fact you can collect items at any time. Set aside a tub or box, and when you see an item you no longer want or use, put it in your "garage sale" box. You may even want to try to mark your item right then. This can save you a lot of time in the long run. Marking your items will take more time than you might think. If wait until the last minute to mark your items, you may end up pulling an alnighter the night before your big sale!
Advertise - Things you will want to include in your ad are the date and times of the sale, your address, specific items (children's toys, furniture, clothing, baby clothing, etc.). You may even want to mention specific brands. Many people love when they can get name brands at bargain prices. Be sure to also place signs in strategic places, making your house easy to find. Place the signs in high traffic areas within a few miles of your home. If your house may be hard to find, include some directions in your ad. If you have a long driveway, use it! Place the super attractive items, where they can be easily seen by onlookers and others as they pass by. As things get taken, make sure to rearrange things to keep things looking neat.
Atmosphere - Try playing some soft music in the background. If it is a hot day, consider selling some cans of soda that you have had on ice. Make sure to have the proper lighting so people can see the merchandise inside your garage.
Garage Sale Etiquette - As a courtesy to your customers, you shouldn't allow early sales. Don't start selling until the time you said the sale would start. You may have someone that was coming for a specific item, only to get there and it be gone. Be prepared too. You will probably have customers ask to use your bathroom, phone, or even to try things on. Don't allow anyone to enter your home.
Finishing Up - Be sure to remove your signs as soon as your sale is over. You don't want people knocking on your door two days later! And last but not least, count your profits!!!!
Here is to a successful garage sale!!!! Good luck!!!
Collecting Items - You can never start collecting too early. In fact you can collect items at any time. Set aside a tub or box, and when you see an item you no longer want or use, put it in your "garage sale" box. You may even want to try to mark your item right then. This can save you a lot of time in the long run. Marking your items will take more time than you might think. If wait until the last minute to mark your items, you may end up pulling an alnighter the night before your big sale!
Advertise - Things you will want to include in your ad are the date and times of the sale, your address, specific items (children's toys, furniture, clothing, baby clothing, etc.). You may even want to mention specific brands. Many people love when they can get name brands at bargain prices. Be sure to also place signs in strategic places, making your house easy to find. Place the signs in high traffic areas within a few miles of your home. If your house may be hard to find, include some directions in your ad. If you have a long driveway, use it! Place the super attractive items, where they can be easily seen by onlookers and others as they pass by. As things get taken, make sure to rearrange things to keep things looking neat.
Atmosphere - Try playing some soft music in the background. If it is a hot day, consider selling some cans of soda that you have had on ice. Make sure to have the proper lighting so people can see the merchandise inside your garage.
Garage Sale Etiquette - As a courtesy to your customers, you shouldn't allow early sales. Don't start selling until the time you said the sale would start. You may have someone that was coming for a specific item, only to get there and it be gone. Be prepared too. You will probably have customers ask to use your bathroom, phone, or even to try things on. Don't allow anyone to enter your home.
Finishing Up - Be sure to remove your signs as soon as your sale is over. You don't want people knocking on your door two days later! And last but not least, count your profits!!!!
Here is to a successful garage sale!!!! Good luck!!!
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